Over the past couple of months, Russ and the guys have been working on a new CD.... it's hard to top a Grammy nomination, but here's to hoping - and looking forward to the release in 2011.

That is great news! I hope Russ plays more electric guitar than the last one, and I hope Dave Karasony plays on every tune. I will buy it regardless. Peace and goodwill.

If the song requires a sound that Dave Karasony is willing and able to make, I'm sure he would use him. However, if the song motivates and inspires Russ Freeman to use another drummer or other rhythm track production techniques, he'll do it also.

A new peak for Peak.

I cannot even state what I hope without you trying to "enlighten" me. I am out of here for a very long time, maybe forever. This forum is now almost as bad as straight-ahead jazz forums.

Mark - please don't leave the forum. Your input is valuable and your excitement for the music is important to the health of this forum.

Ken-
good to see you are still around.
I have been too busy to post recently, and access to the board (and the free time to join in) has been scarce.

I agree that Mark and most regular posters, for that matter bring life to this place.
I second your statement of encouragement to Mark.


Here's hoping Russ will keep it all acoustic drums and avoid the sampling that seems to make every song sound the same.
That's another reason I love Ken's music, especially the last CD, it's got heart and live humans playing the parts. The tempo even changes up, find THAT in most recent music.
And please, no voice synthesis....that is getting so annoying in most modern music, at least to me.

However, unlike Mark, who says he will buy it regardless, I am a bit more cautious. Too many musical disappointments with too many favorite artists, then boredom with the genre sets in, then I just write it off as a waste of time.
Artists like Ken inspire me to think and listen closely.

Inspire us, Russ.

TonyY

Good news for contemporary jazz! I am just appreciative that- despite the now tiresome phenomenon of fans coming to MI to pontificate that the new record is weak compared with WTTSJClub or Kilamanjaro,Curves, or Moonlghting, etc-- WELL I am GLAD Russ has kept this thing together for near 25 years-and I look forward to any new release! Many bands/artists-PMG- JLPonty,Mangione, Yellowjackets, Chacquico etc, well they do not record and or tour regularly anymore if at all. Which is why I appreciate the fact that Russ and the Ripps do! Peace! Paul

Mr. Lurker - are you out there? Will you and Mrs. Lurker be heading back to Scullers this year? Or the Ripps cruise in 2/11??

Hello to everyone on the board - just stopping by - my schedule and my back can't handle long entries - lucky for ya'll!

e well!

Golfwidow - Yes we will be heading back to Scullers this year! Have tickets to all four shows. We plan on cruising in Feb. however, haven't signed up yet. We were at the 2 shows in Annapolis, Md and the show in Alexandria,Va. in August. Hope to see you and the family in Boston.